KCB History

The Kalamazoo Concert Band, an adult ensemble, was founded in 1961. The band's membership is comprised of over 100 adults from the southwestern Michigan area. Over 25 of these members are current or retired music educators and teachers while the rest represent a diversity of occupations. Membership in the KCB is by audition and the band rehearses weekly, performing four free concerts each season. Now in its 48th season, the KCB is one of Michigan's oldest adult metropolitan bands, created out of a need for continuing symphonic band experience beyond that of high school and college instrumental music programs. In recent years the band has earned an enviable reputation, prospering under the guidance of an active executive board, community support, and increased funding. The band's annual budget is derived from donations, annual foundation gifts, local and state grants, and program advertising. The KCB's list of patrons, contributors, and benefactors is extensive, growing every season.

Like many American towns, Kalamazoo enjoyed a tradition of the “town band” dating back to the 19^th century. Edward Snuggs, a local talented trombonist, gained local fame with Fischers’ Globe Trotters, the traveling Kalamazoo band of Charles and Burton Fischer which played in more than 20 countries from 1897 to 1926 (pictured left and below). Longtime residents of Kalamazoo may remember the Milham Park outdoor band wagon concerts, conducted by Snuggs for many years until his death in 1971.

So...what happened to town bands?  Like many social phenomena, the post Word War II “baby boom” provided a major boost for community bands. The 1950’s – 70’s brought rapidly accelerating numbers of school-age children with a boom in new schools and music programs. After their high school and college years, many avid and now-adult musicians still had the desire to continue playing. But how…and where? In the southwest Michigan area, many such devotees regularly appear at 2-hour KCB rehearsals on Thursday evenings from September through April. And for the future beyond our first half century, the KCB is also happy to see many “younger” members joining our group.     

The very beginning of the KCB is traced to 1961 when the Kalamazoo Concert Band Association was officially incorporated through the inspiration and guidance of Frances Irey, the first KCB Association board president. Irey, a local junior high school band teacher and church organist, died in late October, 1961 just before the inaugural KCB concert planned for November. Jerome Mandl (left), Kalamazoo High School band director, assumed direction of the group. The first concert was presented under his baton on December 5, 1961 in the Kalamazoo Central High School Auditorium (below). 

 The next day’s Kalamazoo Gazette reported: “…50 outstanding local instrumentalists, all of them experienced professional and semi-professional performers. Included in the group are 15 directors of various high school bands, a number of teachers in the public schools, and some of the best players from the community at large. They are obviously intent on one goal – a high standard of musicianship

Since its inception in 1961 conductors for the KCB have been: Jerome Mandl (1961-1967), William Root (pictured at left, 1967-1971) Douglas Scripps (below, right,1972-1973), Carl Bjerregaard (below, left,1973-1976), Richard Swinsick (1976-2001) and Dr. Thomas G. Evans (2002-present). In this succession, three seasons featured outstanding guest conductors in the transition years between permanent conductors. Various venues have been called “home” for the KCB: Kalamazoo Central (now Chenery) Auditorium, the Kalamazoo Center (now Raddison Hotel), Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Miller Auditorium, local colleges, and various local high schools and municipal parks (summer concert series).  

Since 1961 the KCB has endured and thrived to fill a niche for traditional and contemporary wind music in a culturally well-endowed city with a city symphony, community symphony, junior symphony, Bach Festival, mens’ and womens’ choruses, and other numerous musical activities of two local colleges. The KCB of today largely evolved during the tenure of its longest serving conductor, Richard Swinsick (pictured at right). Under Dick’s 25-year leadership the band doubled in size (to about 100) and initiated many of its now-traditional activities including: the popular celebrity Holiday concerts, Youth Solo Competition, summer concert series, and CD recordings. The Kalamazoo Concert Band has appeared five times at the Midwestern Music Conference on School Vocal and Instrumental Music, held annually at the University of Michigan, and in June 1987 performed for the ASBDA National Convention at Interlochen. On March 20, 1993 the KCB organized and hosted the First Michigan Adult Band conference, and performances at the Mid-West Music Conference in Chicago and the Interlochen Arts Academy.  In recognition of his dynamic leadership, the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo awarded Swinsick the Community Medal of the Arts in 2000 for the KCB’s cultural contribution to the greater Kalamazoo area.

The KCB continues to pursue the original mission of the KCB under the baton of Dr. Thomas G. Evans (left). Just as in 1961, the KCB still seeks for today’s audiences a combination of popular appeal and a high standard of musicianship in contemporary band music. Toward that end we look forward to our 50^th anniversary season in 2011-2012, which will feature (as always) entertaining programs and an original composition commissioned for the KCB by composer Samuel Hazo.     

Over the years many prominent guest soloists have appeared on KCB programs: Neill Sanders and Johnny Pherigo, French hornists; Donald Sinta, Alto Saxophone; Bradley Wong, Clarinet; Judy Moonert, Marimba; William Allgood, Bassoon; Alaine Trudell and Steve Wolfinbarger, Trombone; Marie Bailey, Soprano; Ben Holt, Metropolitan Opera Baritone; Brian Bowman and the Childs Brothers (Great Britain), Euphoniumists; Stephen Jones, Scott Thornburg, Leonard Smith, and Allen Vizzutti, Trumpeters; the New York Saxophone Quartet; Steve Houghton, percussionist; Yuki and Tomoko Mack, Duo Pianists; the Chicago Brass Quintet; Steve MacLeod, Bagpiper; Bonnie MacLeod, Highland Dancer; Davie Montcalm, Scottish Drummer; the Miami Steel & Percussion Orchestra; Second Hand Dance; and Prism Saxophone Quartet. The band's list of guest conductors includes Leonard Meretta, William D. Revelli, Dr. Harry Begian, H. Robert Reynolds, Col. Arnold Gabriel, Carl Bjerregaard, H. Owen Reed, Richard Suddendorf, Kenneth Bloomquist, John L. Whitwell, Dr. Robert L. Spradling, Sarah Ioannides.

Through the continued generosity of the Irving S. Gilmore foundation, the KCB's annual Holiday concerts have been headlined by such well-known "pop" artists as Rosemary Clooney, Roger Williams ("Mr. Piano"), The 5th Dimension, Hal Linden ("Barney Miller"), Toni Tenille, Rita Moreno, Tony Bennett, Diahann Carroll, Vic Damone, Maureen McGovern, Jack Jones, Shirley Jones, Ben Vereen, Frankie Avalon, Glen Campbell, Tony Orlando, The Brass Band of Battle Creek, Judy Collins and Kathy Mattea. The band has also performed with the world-renown Canadian Brass.